Sahan Journal Reporter Wins National Award for Story on Minneapolis Middle-Schoolers

June 4, 2026 - 22:58

Sahan Journal education reporter Becky Dernbach has been honored with a national award for her in-depth, yearlong project tracking the experiences of two immigrant students in Minneapolis. The story, which followed the students through their middle school years, earned recognition from the Education Writers Association, a leading organization for education journalism.

Dernbach's project focused on the daily realities of young immigrants navigating school, language barriers, and the challenges of adjusting to a new country. By spending months in the classroom and interviewing families, teachers, and community members, she painted a vivid portrait of resilience and struggle. The piece highlighted how the Minneapolis school system supports or sometimes fails students from immigrant backgrounds.

The award underscores the importance of long-form, community-centered reporting. Dernbach's work did not just document statistics but gave a human face to broader issues like equity, language access, and the role of schools in helping newcomers feel welcome. Colleagues praised her commitment to spending time with the students and earning their trust, which allowed her to capture moments of joy, frustration, and growth.

For Sahan Journal, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering Minnesota's immigrant and communities of color, the recognition is a milestone. It shows that deep, patient storytelling can break through the noise of daily news cycles. Dernbach said she hopes the award draws more attention to the needs of immigrant students and the educators who work with them every day.